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bpost SA/NV

Quarterly Report Aug 4, 2020

3922_rns_2020-08-04_dee6c1a0-04ac-4b03-bbcf-78cd8d41bf1e.pdf

Quarterly Report

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Second quarter 2020 results Analyst call

Jean-Paul Van Avermaet, CEO Leen Geirnaerdt, CFO

5 August 2020

Investor presentation

Interim financial report 2Q20

Financial Calendar

03.11.2020 (17:45 CET) Quarterly results 3Q20

More on corporate.bpost.be/investors

Disclaimer

This presentation is based on information published by bpost Group in its Second Quarter 2020 Interim Financial Report, made available on August, 4th 2020 at 5.45pm CET on corporate.bpost.be/investors. This information forms regulated information as defined in the Royal Decree of 14 November 2007. The information in this document may include forward-looking statements1 , which are based on current expectations and projections of management about future events. By their nature, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future whether or not outside the control of the Company. Such factors may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forwardlooking statements. Accordingly, no assurance is given that such forward-looking statements will prove to have been correct. They speak only as at the date of the Presentation and the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or changes in factors affecting these statements. This material is not intended as and does not constitute an offer to sell any securities or a solicitation of any offer to purchase any securities.

2Q20

Highlights of 2Q20

Net negative impact of COVID-19, mainly in M&R, is compensated by growth in Parcels and E-commerce logistics next to targeted cost containment actions and cost phasing towards 2H20

Group adjusted
EBIT

Group operating

income

€ 1,052.7m

€ 74.9m 7.1% EBIT margin

Mail & Retail

€ 36.0m 7.7% EBIT margin

  • Total operating income at € 468.1m (-10.2%) driven by COVID-19 impact on mail volumes & on retail and by deconsolidation of Alvadis
  • Underlying mail volume decline at -17.7% driven by COVID-19 lockdown with visible catch-up in June
  • Adjusted EBIT decline (-51.9%) from mail evolution amplified by COVID-19.
  • M&R COVID-19 impact1 : € -37.0m

Parcels & Logistics Eurasia

€ 32.4m 11.0% EBIT margin

  • Total operating income at € 294.9m (+46.4%) driven by positive COVID-19 development in all revenue lines, especially Parcels BeNe (+64.2%)
  • Parcels BeNe organic volumes +78.4%
  • Adjusted EBIT, excl. YoY negative evolution of terminal dues settlements, up € +13.0m (+67%) operationally.
  • PaLo EA COVID-19 impact1 : € +13.1m

Parcels & Logistics N. Am.

€ 17.6m 5.0% EBIT margin

  • Total operating income at € 353.9m (+48.0%) driven by E-commerce logistics, in particular growth at Radial from existing customers and new business signed in 2019
  • Adjusted EBIT increase (€ +18.1m) driven by positive evolution of Ecommerce logistics (mainly Radial), partially offset by margin pressure in International mail.
  • PaLo NA COVID-19 impact1 : € +16.5m

2Q20 COVID-19 impact1 on Group EBIT estimated at € -9.5m

1 All COVID-19 impacts mentioned in this presentation are best effort estimates based on actuals and are net results of both positive and negative impacts. Group impact includes € -2.0m at Corporate.

Initial 2020 Group adjusted EBIT guidance range can be reconfirmed

Net negative COVID-19 impact, mainly in M&R, is compensated by growth in PaLo's next to targeted cost containment actions and cost phasing towards 2H20 2Q20

1 Adjusted previously called Normalized, change of terminology "Adjusted" in order to align the label of this APM to the ESMA guidelines, definition and approach remain unchanged. Adjusted excludes items that are non-recurring in nature and significant (> € 20m). All profits or losses on disposal of activities are adjusted whatever the amount they represent, as well as the amortization and impairment on the intangible assets recognized throughout the Purchase Price Allocation (PPA) of the acquisitions. Reversals of provisions whose addition had been excluded from income are also adjusted whatever the amount they represent.

2Q20 Analyst Presentation

€ million Reported Adjusted1
2Q19 2Q20 2Q19 2Q20 % ↑
Total operating income 935.7 1,052.7 935.7 1,052.7 12.5%
Operating expenses 773.9 917.0 773.9 917.0 18.5%
EBITDA 161.7 135.7 161.7 135.7 -16.1%
Depreciation & Amortization 59.9 65.5 54.2 60.8 12.2%
EBIT 101.8 70.2
1
107.5 74.9
1
-30.3%
Margin (%) 10.9% 6.7% 11.5% 7.1%
Financial result -14.8 -14.0 -14.8 -14.0
Profit before tax 92.7 59.5 98.4 64.2 -34.8%
Income tax expense 29.3 15.9
1
29.8 16.1
1
Net profit 63.4 43.6 68.6 48.0 -30.0%
FCF 4.5 113.2
2
18.5 44.1
2
-
Net Debt at 30 June 692.5 539.5 692.5 539.5 -22.1%
Capex 25.8 24.9 25.8 24.9 -3.5%
Average # FTEs and interims 33,819 37,853 33,819 37,853 11.9%

1

Adjusted FCF excludes the cash Radial receives on behalf of its customers for performing billing services 2

Results by segment 2Q20

€ million

M&R PaLo Eurasia PaLo N. Am. Corp Eliminations Group
External operating income 407.5 292.1 351.9 1.3 0.0 1,052.7
Intersegment operating income 60.7 2.8 2.0 85.4 -150.9 0.0
Total operating income 468.1 294.9 353.9 86.7 (150.9) 1,052.7
Operating expenses 411.2 257.8 318.2 80.6 -150.9 917.0
EBITDA 56.9 37.1 35.7 6.0 135.7
Depreciation & Amortization 21.5 5.5 21.5 17.0 65.5
Reported EBIT 35.4 31.6 14.2 -11.0 70.2
Margin (%) 7.6% 10.7% 4.0% -12.7% 6.7%
Adjusted EBIT 36.0 32.4 17.6 -11.0 74.9
Margin (%) 7.7% 11.0% 5.0% -12.7% 7.1%

2Q20

Top-line decrease driven by COVID-19 impacts on mail and on retail and by deconsolidation of Alvadis

M&R external operating income, € million 1 2 3 4 5 2Q19 -1.5 Advertising 479.4 Transactional -16.7 -22.7 Press -27.8 Proximity and convenience retail network -3.2 Value added services 2Q20 407.5 -71.9

Domestic Mail

Operating income decline at € -40.9m i.e. € +0.4m working days impact, € -3.7m elections 2Q19, € -51.0m volume (-17.7% underlying volume decline, i.e. -22.3% QTD May-20, -6.6% Jun-20), and € +13.5m price/mix.

1 2

Transactional

Overall good resistance of volumes with underlying decline at -16.7% of which:

-19.0% QTD May-20: all product categories negatively impacted by COVID-19 lockdown.

-8.9% Jun-20 driven by an overall catchup in volumes post COVID-19 lockdown, particularly visible in smaller administrative mail volumes and registered letters.

Proximity and convenience retail network

Decrease mainly driven by:

  • ‐ the deconsolidation of Alvadis (€ -7.8m) as of September 2019
  • ‐ Ubiway retail revenues impacted by partial COVID-19 related closure of the network and reduced footfall
  • ‐ Decline in banking & finance revenues from less traffic in post offices and less ATM transactions 3 1 4

Advertising

-26.6% underlying volume decline:

-37.0% QTD May-20 driven by COVID-19 lockdown of all non-essential retail until May 10 included. Gradual recovery in food retail advertising as of second half of April and certain other sectors as of May.

-4.2% Jun-20: strong volume recovery in certain sectors due to a catch up.

Press

-8.0% underlying volume decline driven by e-substitution and rationalization.

2 3 5

Mainly lower revenues from phasing out of e-ID activities, document management and European license plates.

M&R EBIT impacted by mail evolution amplified by COVID-19

€ million

Mail & Retail 2Q19 2Q20 % ↑
External operating income 479.4 407.5 -15.0%
Transactional 187.4 170.7 -8.9%
Advertising 60.2 37.5 -37.7%
Press 87.2 85.8 -1.7%
Proximity and convenience retail network 117.5 89.7 -23.7%
Value added services 27.1 23.9 -11.8%
Intersegment operating income 42.0 60.7 44.5%
Total operating income 521.4 468.1 -10.2%
Operating expenses 426.8 411.2 -3.6%
EBITDA 94.6 56.9 -39.8%
Depreciation & Amortization 20.9 21.5 2.7%
Reported EBIT 73.7 35.4 -51.9%
Margin (%) 14.1% 7.6%
Adjusted EBIT 74.8 36.0 -51.9%
Margin (%) 14.4% 7.7%
Average # FTEs and interims 22,052 23,004 4.3%
Additional KPIs
Underlying Mail volume decline -9.4% -17.7%
Transactional -11.1% -16.7%
Advertising -5.6% -26.6%
Press -6.7% -8.0%

Key takeaways 2Q20

  • Total operating income decline of € -53.2m primarily driven by domestic mail volume decline, Ubiway retail decline and the deconsolidation of Alvadis. Until end of May, mail volumes were significantly impacted by COVID-19 with a visible catch-up as of June, partly compensated by higher intersegment operating income related to higher parcels volumes.
  • Operating expenses (incl. adjusted D&A) declined by € +14.4m:
    • ‐ Higher payroll & interim costs driven by (1) headcount from higher parcel volumes & absenteeism and (2) price from COVID-19 premium & salary indexation; together with specific COVID-19 opex
    • ‐ Fully compensated by lower material costs from Ubiway Retail incl. Alvadis deconsolidation impact, higher recoverable VAT, cost containment actions and cost phasing towards 2H20 (e.g. holidays).
  • COVID-19 impacted EBIT by an estimated € -37.0m, explained by the top-line development on domestic mail and retail as well as additional costs like the COVID-19 premium, health & safety measures, increase in absenteeism and additional bad debt risk.
  • M&R adjusted EBIT declined by € -38.8m to € 36.0m.

2Q20 – PaLo Eurasia

Favourable COVID-19 revenue development across the board in PaLo Eurasia

PaLo Eurasia external operating income, € million

Parcels BeNe

Parcels BeNe volume growth of +78.4%1 driven by thriving online sales during COVID-19 lockdown (QTD May-20 volumes up +80.6%, Jun-20 +74.3%).

COVID-19 revenue impact is estimated at € +44.2m.

1 Parcels volume growth is composed of former Domestic Parcels (i.e. pre new segment reporting since 2019) and Dynalogic volumes. This does not cover the full scope of Parcels BeNe since not all revenues included in Parcels BeNe can be expressed in volumes.

E-commerce logistics

Revenue growth mainly driven by positive COVID-19 impact (€ +11.3m) at Radial Europe, Active Ants & DynaFresh.

Further revenue growth driven by the integration of MCS Fulfilment (part of Active Ants) as from October 1, 2019, contributing € 2.9m.

1 2 3

Cross-border

Net favourable revenue impact from COVID-19 (€ +15.4m) driven by:

  • ‐ a gradual ramp-up in Asian parcel volumes since May, evolving exponentially through June, resulting from rail solution as an alternative to air freight
  • ‐ partly offset by COVID-19 linked revenues losses on other international parcels volumes and lower in- and outbound mail volumes

Excluding COVID-19, growth in commercial business with Asia as main driver.

Unfavourable YoY evolution of terminal dues settlements (€ -2.2m).

Strong EBIT development from positive COVID-19 volume impacts across all business lines

€ million

Parcels & Logistics Europe and Asia 2Q19 2Q20 % ↑
External operating income 196.5 292.1 48.7%
Parcels BeNe 91.0 149.4 64.2%
E-commerce logistics 29.4 46.3 57.8%
Cross-border 76.1 96.3 26.5%
Intersegment operating income 4.9 2.8 -42.2%
Total operating income 201.4 294.9 46.4%
Operating expenses 173.6 257.8 48.5%
EBITDA 27.9 37.1 33.2%
Depreciation & Amortization 5.5 5.5 -0.2%
Reported EBIT 22.3 31.6 41.5%
Margin (%) 11.1% 10.7%
Adjusted EBIT 23.6 32.4 37.2%
Margin (%) 11.7% 11.0%
Average # FTEs and interims 3,153 3,845 21.9%
Additional KPIs
Parcels volume growth 17.7% 78.4%

Key takeaways 2Q20

• Total operating income € +93.5m (+46.4%) driven by positive development in all revenue lines, especially Parcels BeNe (€ +58.4m, +64.2%). Total positive COVID-19 revenue impact stood at € +70.9m. Excluding COVID-19 and the unfavourable YoY evolution of terminal dues (€ -2.2m), revenues were up € +24.8m.

2Q20 – PaLo Eurasia

  • Excluding the unfavourable YoY evolution of terminal dues settlements (€ -2.0m), operating expenses (incl. adjusted D&A) were up € -82.7m (+46.0%), mainly explained by higher volume-linked variable costs translating into increased payroll, interim and transport costs across all business lines. Specific COVID-19 opex also contributed to the YoY cost increase and includes the premium, increase in absenteeism, health and safety measures and additional bad debt provisions.
  • COVID-19 had an estimated EBIT impact of € +13.1m from COVID-19 driven revenue increase in all business lines partly offset by the aforementioned specific COVID-19 additional opex.
  • Adjusted EBIT increased by € +8.8m (+37.2%) to € 32.4m. Excluding the YoY terminal dues settlements (€ -4.2m), adjusted EBIT was up € +13.0m (+67%) operationally.

Parcels & Logistics North America driven by significant growth at existing clients and by 2019 new business

PaLo North America external operating income, € million

E-commerce logistics

YoY increase of +53.5% (+50.7% at constant exchange rate). Revenue increase mainly driven by Radial NA recording significant growth of existing customers (+49%), as well as customers launched in 2019 slightly offset by customer churn. Landmark also recorded higher sales from new and existing customers.

COVID-19 related closures of customers' brick and mortar stores increased volume through Ecommerce logistics. Total revenue impact is estimated at € +92.0m.

International mail

Declining revenues at The Mail Group1(-6.5%) despite positive FX evolution (-8.5% at constant exchange rate).

Significant drop-off in business mail segment as a result of COVID-19.

COVID-19 revenue impact is estimated at € -2.0m with the main negative impact seen in April 2020 and improving month by month thereafter.

1 2

2Q20 – PaLo N. Am.

Strongly positive EBIT evolution driven by e-commerce Logistics, especially Radial

€ million

Parcels & Logistics North America 2Q19 2Q20 % ↑
External operating income 238.0 351.9 47.9%
E-commerce logistics 215.6 331.0 53.5%
International mail 22.3 20.9 -6.5%
Intersegment operating income 1.1 2.0 85.4%
Total operating income 239.0 353.9 48.0%
Operating expenses 226.5 318.2 40.5%
EBITDA 12.6 35.7 184.4%
Depreciation & Amortization 16.4 21.5 31.4%
Reported EBIT -3.8 14.2
Margin (%) -1.6% 4.0%
Adjusted EBIT -0.5 17.6
Margin (%) -0.2% 5.0%
Average # FTEs and interims 6,986 9,399 34.5%
Additional KPIs, adjusted
Radial North America revenue, \$m 199.2 317.3 59.3%
Radial North America EBITDA, \$m 7.3 30.8
Radial North America EBIT, \$m -4.9 13.6

Key takeaways 2Q20

  • Total operating income increase of € +114.8m or +48.0% (+45.3% at constant exchange rate) mainly driven by growth at Radial from existing customers and customers launched in 2019. Total net COVID-19 revenue impact for North America is estimated at € +90.0m
  • Operating expenses (incl. adjusted D&A) increased by € -96.7m (€ -92.3m excl. FX) driven by higher variable costs from volume growth (primarily at Radial) and bad debt impact, as well as higher payroll costs, increased D&A related to the 3 new fulfilment centers, and COVID-19 additional expenses. International Mail was impacted by YoY increase in transport costs.
  • COVID-19 impacted EBIT by an estimated € +16.5m, mainly related to additional e-commerce logistics volumes, partly offset by additional health and safety measures, increased transport costs relating to International Mail and bad debt.
  • Adjusted EBIT up € +18.1m to € 17.6m driven by positive operating leverage in E-commerce logistics, in particular at Radial. This was partly offset by continuing margin pressure in International mail.

Corporate EBIT decline driven by headquarters profit on disposal in 2Q19

€ million

Corporate 2Q19 2Q20 % ↑
External operating income 21.8 1.3 -94.3%
Intersegment operating income 93.0 85.4 -8.2%
Total operating income 114.8 86.7 -24.5%
Operating expenses 88.1 80.6 -8.5%
EBITDA 26.7 6.0 -77.5%
Depreciation & Amortization 17.1 17.0 -0.3%
Reported EBIT 9.6 -11.0
Margin (%) 8.4% -12.7%
Adjusted EBIT 9.6 -11.0
Margin (%) 8.4% -12.7%
Average # FTEs and interims 1,629 1,605 -1.5%

Key takeaways 2Q20

  • External revenues down by € -20.5m driven by lower building sales (gain on headquarter sale of € 19.9m in 2Q19) and slightly lower rental income.
  • Operating expenses (incl. D&A) decreased by € +7.6m driven by lower demand for services from the operational Business Units (€ -7.6m intersegment operating income) namely due to lower demand for IT-related projects. Net of the intersegment operating income, the opex (incl. D&A) was flat as YoY negative VAT recovery impact (€ -1.7m) and COVID-19 related costs were offset by lower project costs at corporate level, i.e. cost containment.
  • COVID-19 impacted EBIT by an estimated € -2.0m, mainly related to additional costs for health and safety measures.
  • As a result, adjusted EBIT decreased by € -20.7m YoY.

Increased FCF1 thanks to payment terms in payables No bpost NV / SA tax prepayment in current quarter compensates LY's proceeds from HQ building sale

Reported ‐ € million
2Q19 2Q20 Delta
+ Cash flow from operating activities -27.3 138.3 165.6
+ Cash flow from investing activities 31.8 -25.1 -56.9
= Free cash flow 4.5 113.2 108.7
+ Financing activities -60.8 -24.4 36.4
= Net cash movement -56.3 88.8 145.1
Capex (25.8) (24.9) 0.9

CF from operating activities

More cash flows relating to collected proceeds due to Radial's clients: € +83.1m, high level of merchandise sales in COVID-19 period

Absence of tax prepayment in 2Q20 (vs. € 51.0m in 2Q19)

Excluding the above, CF from operating activities: € +31.5m, of which:

‐ € +30.3m improvement in working capital evolution: primarily driven by extended payment terms during COVID-19 period partly offset by higher receivables due to increased sales

CF from investing activities

Proceeds from buildings sales: € -57.1m (Sale of HQ building Centre Monnaie in 2Q19)

Capex at € 24.9m decreased by € +0.9m vs 2Q19 and was mainly spent on increased capacity (Radial, Parcels B2C and Active Ants mainly)

CF from financing activities

Absence of dividend payment in 2Q20 (vs. € 50.0m in 2Q19)

Commercial papers issuance: € -12.1m

1Free cash flow = cash flow from operating activities + cash flow from investing activities

Balance Sheet

€ million € million
Assets Dec 31, 2019 Jun 30, 2020 Equity and Liabilities Dec 31, 2019 Jun 30, 2020
PPE 1,133.6 1,105.1 Total equity 682.6 749.5
Intangible assets 898.3 890.4 Interest-bearing loans & borrowings (incl. bank overdrafts) 1,449.9 1,464.8
Investments in associates and joint ventures 239.5 235.6 Employee benefits 320.6 315.3
Other assets 41.8 39.2 Trade & other payables 1,278.5 1,261.4
Trade & other receivables 759.0 638.6 Provisions 29.8 28.3
Inventories 34.7 36.1 Derivative instruments 1.3 0.4
Cash & cash equivalents 670.2 925.4 Other liabilities 14.3 50.6
Total Assets 3,777.1 3,870.2 Total Equity and Liabilities 3,777.1 3,870.2

Main balance sheet movements

PPE decreased due to the depreciation (€ 108.6m) and the transfer to assets held for sale (€ 7.8m), partially offset by capex (€ 31.5m) and right of use assets recognized (€ 54.7m).

Trade & other receivables decreased due to the usual settlement of the SGEI receivable during the first quarter of the year.

Total equity increased in line with the realized profit (€ 91.5m), partially offset by the fair value adjustment of bpost bank's bond portfolio (€ 11.9m) and the net impact of the integration of Active Ants International comprising the non-controlling interests and the recognition of the contingent consideration for the purchase of the remaining shares (€ 14.7m).

Interest-bearing loans & borrowings recorded an increase mainly linked to the increase of the lease liabilities for IFRS 16.

Other liabilities increased due the income tax payable, as no prepayments were done in 2020 yet.

Financing Structure & Liquidity

€ million
Available Liquidity Dec 31, 2019 Jun 30, 2020
Cash & cash equivalents 670.2 925.4
Cash in network 163.6 130.9
Transit accounts 105.8 90.4
Cash payment transactions under execution -26.7 -14.5
Bank current accounts 377.4 658.5
Short-term deposits 50.0 60.0
Undrawn revolving credit facilities 375.0 375.0
Syndicated facility - 10/2024 300.0 300.0
Bilateral facility - 06/2025 75.0 75.0
Total Available Liquidity 1,045.2 1,300.4
€ million
External Funding Dec 31, 2019 Jun 30, 2020
L
o
ng
-term
Long-term bond1
(1.25% - 07/2026)
650.0 650.0
Bank loans 183.2 183.4
Amortizing Loan (€ 100m) ‐ 12/2022 18.2 18.2
Term Loan (\$ 185m) - 07/2023 165.0 165.2
Sho
rt-term
Bank loans: Amortizing Loan (€ 100m) ‐ 12/2022 9.1 9.1
Commercial Papers 164.5 168.1
Total External Funding 1,006.8 1,010.6

Liquidity: Cash & Committed credit lines

Total available liquidity at June 30, 2020 consisted out of € 925.4m cash & cash equivalents of which € 718.5m is readily available on bank current accounts and as short-term deposits.

In addition, bpost Group has 2 undrawn revolving credit facilities for a total amount of € 375.0m.

External Funding & Debt Amortization (excl. IFRS16 lease liabilities)

Out of € 1,010.6m external funding on balance sheet at June 30, 2020:

  • ‐ € 168.1m commercial paper outstanding with maturity ranging between 1 to 6 months. In July, bpost Group seized the opportunity of favorable market conditions to issue € 100m of commercial paper with a maturity of 7 months (until Jan-21) and thus secured a major part of the short-term funding until the collection of the SGEI payment in January 2021.
  • ‐ € 9.1m during 4Q20 (i.e. the current portion of the EIB loan).

1 € 650m long-term bond with a carrying amount of € 643.1m, the difference being the re-offer price and issuance fees.

Initial 2020 Group EBIT outlook reconfirmed

Based on the current situation and facts, bpost Group reconfirms adjusted EBIT guidance for 2020 in the range of € 240-270m.

Group

Assuming no second national or important local lockdown in 2020, nor any event deriving from COVID-19 uncertainties, the adjusted EBIT between € 240- 270m can be reconfirmed.

Contribution per Business Unit will differ from the initial outlook issued in March.

Gross capex of € 150m maximum (vs. up to € 200m pre-COVID-19)

Dividend

The Board will recommend to the Annual Shareholders' Meeting not to grant a dividend on the results of FY20 to shareholders.

bpost Group remains fully committed to delivering sustainable shareholder returns.

Given the high level of uncertainty that still remains in light of COVID-19 and its impact on the overall economy, bpost Group's priority is in the current circumstances the strength of bpost's balance sheet, cash reserves and capacity to invest on the long term.

A new dividend policy going forward will be decided by the Board when the longer term impact of the COVID-19 crisis becomes more clear.

COVID-19 disclaimer

Given ongoing limited visibility about the duration and severity of the pandemic and its different impacts across the globe, the reconfirmed outlook could still be impacted by these uncertainties or any event deriving thereof.

Half year 2020 results

5 August 2020

1H20 EBIT impacted by significant COVID-19 related mail volume decline, partly compensated by strong PaLo performance

1 Adjusted previously called Normalized, change of terminology "Adjusted" in order to align the label of this APM to the ESMA guidelines, definition and approach remain unchanged. Adjusted excludes items that are non-recurring in nature and significant (> € 20m). All profits or losses on disposal of activities are adjusted whatever the amount they represent, as well as the amortization and impairment on the intangible assets recognized throughout the Purchase Price Allocation (PPA) of the acquisitions. Reversals of provisions whose addition had been excluded from income are also adjusted whatever the amount they represent.

1H20

1H20 COVID-19 impact on Group EBIT estimated at € -26.2m

€ million Reported Adjusted1
1H19 1H20 1H19 1H20 % ↑
Total operating income 1,842.5 1,987.3 1,842.5 1,987.3 7.9%
Operating expenses 1,529.7 1,714.4 1,529.7 1,714.4 12.1%
EBITDA 312.8 272.9 312.8 272.9 -12.8%
Depreciation & Amortization 120.6 131.6 109.5 122.3 11.7%
EBIT 192.2 141.3
1
203.3 150.6
1
-25.9%
Margin (%) 10.4% 7.1% 11.0% 7.6%
Financial result -22.3 -18.4 -22.3 -18.4
Profit before tax 174.2 131.0 185.2 140.2 -24.3%
Income tax expense 60.6 39.5
1
61.6 40.0
1
Net profit 113.5 91.5 123.7 100.3 -18.9%
FCF 190.6 307.4
2
213.9 290.3
2
35.7%
Net Debt at 30 June 692.5 539.5 692.5 539.5 -22.1%
Capex 41.5 45.4 41.5 45.4 9.5%
Average # FTEs and interims 33,901 36,274 33,901 36,274 7.0%

1H20

Adjusted FCF excludes the cash Radial receives on behalf of its customers for performing billing services 2

1Unaudited figures

Results by segment 1H20

€ million

M&R PaLo Eurasia PaLo N. Am. Corp Eliminations Group
External operating income 865.2 502.5 611.8 7.6 0.0 1,987.3
Intersegment operating income 102.9 5.9 3.3 175.9 -287.9 0.0
Total operating income 968.1 508.4 615.2 183.5 (287.9) 1,987.3
Operating expenses 825.1 450.0 569.1 158.2 -287.9 1,714.4
EBITDA 143.0 58.4 46.1 25.3 272.9
Depreciation & Amortization 43.0 10.6 42.7 35.3 131.6
Reported EBIT 100.0 47.8 3.5 -10.0 141.3
Margin (%) 10.3% 9.4% 0.6% -5.4% 7.1%
Adjusted EBIT 101.2 49.3 10.1 -10.0 150.6
Margin (%) 10.5% 9.7% 1.6% -5.4% 7.6%

Top-line decrease driven by COVID-19 impacts on Domestic Mail and on retail and by deconsolidation of Alvadis

M&R external operating income, € million

Domestic Mail

Operating income decline at € -58.5m i.e. € +1.4m working days impact, € -3.7m elections 2Q19, € -80.1m volume (-13.9% underlying volume decline, with March to May-20 at -20.1% due to COVID-19), and € +24.0m price/mix.

1 2

Transactional

-12.8% underlying volume decline of which:

-16.7% March to May-20: COVID-19 lockdown negatively impacted all mail categories, in particular smaller administrative mail volume and registered letters.

Excluding COVID-19, underlying mail volumes are subject to ongoing e-substitution and digitization. 3 1 4

Proximity and convenience retail network

Decrease mainly driven by:

  • ‐ the deconsolidation of Alvadis (€ -15.3m) as of September 2019
  • ‐ COVID-19 impact on Ubiway retail revenues from partial closure of the network and reduced footfall
  • ‐ Decline in banking & finance revenues

Advertising

-22.3% underlying volume decline of which:

-36.2% March to May-20 mainly impacted by cancelled campaigns from COVID-19 lockdown of all non-essential retail from March 18 through May 10 and ban on promotions through April 3.

Press

-6.6% underlying volume decline driven by e-substitution and rationalization.

2 3 5

Value added services

Lower revenues from phasing out of e-ID activities, European license plates and document management partly compensated by higher revenue from fines management.

M&R EBIT impacted by COVID-19 mail evolution despite a good recovery in June and lower opex

€ million

Mail & Retail 1H19 1H20 % ↑
External operating income 965.9 865.2 -10.4%
Transactional 382.9 364.0 -4.9%
Advertising 121.1 85.3 -29.6%
Press 175.7 171.9 -2.2%
Proximity and convenience retail network 233.8 192.7 -17.6%
Value added services 52.4 51.3 -2.0%
Intersegment operating income 83.0 102.9 23.9%
Total operating income 1,048.9 968.1 -7.7%
Operating expenses 840.9 825.1 -1.9%
EBITDA 208.0 143.0 -31.2%
Depreciation & Amortization 42.3 43.0 1.8%
Reported EBIT 165.7 100.0 -39.6%
Margin (%) 15.8% 10.3%
Adjusted EBIT 167.4 101.2 -39.6%
Margin (%) 16.0% 10.5%
Average # FTEs and interims 21,958 22,590 2.9%
Additional KPIs
Underlying Mail volume decline -9.3% -13.9%
Transactional -10.5% -12.8%
Advertising -6.7% -22.3%
Press -8.0% -6.6%

Key takeaways 1H20

  • Total operating income decline of € -80.7m primarily driven by domestic mail volume decline (€ -58.5m), lower Ubiway retail revenue and the deconsolidation of Alvadis partly compensated by higher intersegment operating income related to higher parcels volumes.
  • Operating expenses (incl. adjusted D&A) decreased by € +14.5m. Higher payroll & interim costs and specific COVID-19 opex were more than compensated by lower material costs from Ubiway Retail (incl. Alvadis deconsolidation impact), higher recoverable VAT, cost containment actions and cost phasing towards 2H20.
  • COVID-19 impacted EBIT by an estimated € -51.4m. This is explained by the top-line development on domestic mail and retail as well as additional costs: COVID-19 premium, health & safety, increase in absenteeism, additional bad debt risk.
  • M&R adjusted EBIT declined by € -66.2m to € 101.2m.

PaLo Eurasia significantly positively impacted by COVID-19 across the board

PaLo Eurasia external operating income, € million

Parcels BeNe

Parcels BeNe volume growth of +50.0%1 , driven by thriving online sales during COVID-19 lockdown (March to May volumes up by 63.2%).

COVID-19 revenue is estimated at € +44.7m.

1 Parcels volume growth is composed of former Domestic Parcels (i.e. pre new segment reporting since 2019) and Dynalogic volumes. This does not cover the full scope of Parcels BeNe since not all revenues included in Parcels BeNe can be expressed in volumes.

E-commerce logistics

Revenue growth of € +25.4m mainly driven by positive COVID-19 impact (€ +11.3m, all in 2Q20) at Radial Europe, Active Ants & DynaFresh.

Further revenue growth driven by the integration of MCS Fulfilment (part of Active Ants) as from October 1, 2019, contributing € +5.2m YTD, and growth at Radial Europe from new customers gained in 2019.

1 2 3

Cross-border

Net favourable revenues impact from COVID-19 (€ +9.7m) driven by:

  • ‐ a gradual ramp-up in Asian parcel volumes since May, evolving exponentially through June, resulting from rail solution as an alternative to air freight
  • ‐ partly offset by COVID-19 linked revenues losses on other international parcels volumes (UK and Rest of Europe) and lower in- and outbound mail volumes

Excluding COVID-19, growth in commercial business with Asia as main driver.

Unfavourable YoY evolution of terminal dues settlements (€ -3.1m).

Strong EBIT development from positive COVID-19 volume impacts across all business lines

Parcels & Logistics Europe and Asia 1H19 1H20 % ↑
External operating income 388.2 502.5 29.4%
Parcels BeNe 178.4 254.1 42.4%
E-commerce logistics 60.2 85.6 42.3%
Cross-border 149.6 162.8 8.8%
Intersegment operating income 10.0 5.9 -41.5%
Total operating income 398.2 508.4 27.7%
Operating expenses 348.3 450.0 29.2%
EBITDA 49.9 58.4 17.1%
Depreciation & Amortization 11.2 10.6 -5.4%
Reported EBIT 38.7 47.8 23.6%
Margin (%) 9.7% 9.4%
Adjusted EBIT 41.6 49.3 18.5%
Margin (%) 10.4% 9.7%
Average # FTEs and interims 3,141 3,640 15.9%
Additional KPIs
Parcels volume growth 17.3% 50.0%

Key takeaways 1H20

  • Total operating income € +110.2m (+27.7%) driven by positive development in all revenue lines, especially Parcels BeNe (€ +75.7m, +42.4%). Total positive COVID-19 revenue impact stood at € +65.7m. Excluding COVID-19 and the unfavourable YoY evolution of terminal dues (€ -3.1m), revenues were up € 47.6m.
  • Excluding the unfavourable impact of terminal dues settlements (€ -2.5m) and YoY VAT recovery impact (€ -2.5m), the operating expenses (incl. adjusted D&A) increased by € -97.6m (+26.9%), mainly from higher payroll, interim and transport costs driven by volume growth across all business lines and specific COVID-19 opex, being: the premium, increase in absenteeism, health and safety measures, additional bad debt provisions, higher use of subcontractors.
  • COVID-19 had an estimated EBIT impact of € +11.3m, from COVID-19 driven revenue increase in all business lines partly offset by the aforementioned specific COVID-19 additional opex.
  • Adjusted EBIT increased by € +7.7m to € 49.3m. Excluding YoY additional VAT recovery and terminal dues settlements (together € -8.1m), adjusted EBIT was up € +15.7m (+47%) operationally.

1H20 – PaLo Eurasia

1H20 – PaLo N. Am.

Parcels & Logistics North America driven by significant growth at existing clients and 2019 new business

PaLo North America external operating income, € million

E-commerce logistics

YoY increase of +35.4% (+32.4% at constant exchange rate).

Revenue increase mainly driven by Radial North America recording significant growth of existing customers (+31%) driven by COVID-19 as well as new clients launched in 2019, slightly offset by client churn.

COVID-19 estimated impact on revenues: € +92.0m

International mail

Declining revenues at The Mail Group1(-4.8%) despite positive FX evolution (-7.2% at constant exchange rate).

Significant drop-off in business mail segment as a result of COVID-19.

COVID-19 estimated impact on revenues at € -2.0m with the main negative impact seen in April 2020 and improving month by month thereafter.

1 2

Strongly positive EBIT evolution of Radial partly offset by continuing margin pressure in International mail

€ million

Parcels & Logistics North America 1H19 1H20 % ↑
External operating income 465.1 611.8 31.5%
E-commerce logistics 420.1 569.0 35.4%
International mail 45.0 42.8 -4.8%
Intersegment operating income 2.5 3.3 36.7%
Total operating income 467.6 615.2 31.6%
Operating expenses 449.2 569.1 26.7%
EBITDA 18.4 46.1 150.4%
Depreciation & Amortization 33.2 42.7 28.4%
Reported EBIT -14.8 3.5
Margin (%) -3.2% 0.6%
Adjusted EBIT -8.3 10.1
Margin (%) -1.8% 1.6%
Average # FTEs and interims 7,168 8,422 17.5%
Additional KPIs, adjusted
Radial North America revenue, \$m 386.4 532.5 37.8%
Radial North America EBITDA, \$m 5.4 34.8
Radial North America EBIT, \$m -20.1 0.7

Key takeaways 1H20

  • Total operating income increase of € +147.6m or +31.6% (+28.5% at constant exchange rate) mainly driven by growth at Radial from existing customers and customers launched in 2019. COVID-19 impact on revenues is estimated at € 90.0m.
  • Operating expenses (incl. adjusted D&A) increased by € -129.2m (€ -118.1m excl. FX) driven mainly by higher variable costs from volume growth (primarily at Radial) and bad debt impact, as well as increased D&A related to the 3 new fulfilment centers and COVID-19 additional expenses. International Mail was impacted by YoY increase in transport costs.
  • COVID-19 impacted EBIT by an estimated € +16.2m, mainly related to additional e-commerce logistics volumes, partly offset by additional health and safety measures, increased transport costs relating to International Mail and bad debt.
  • Adjusted EBIT up € +18.4m driven by positive operating leverage in E-commerce logistics, in particular at Radial. This was partially offset by continuing margin pressure in International mail.

Corporate EBIT decrease mainly driven by lower building sales

€ million

Corporate 1H19 1H20 % ↑
External operating income 23.3 7.6 -67.2%
Intersegment operating income 177.8 175.9 -1.1%
Total operating income 201.0 183.5 -8.7%
Operating expenses 164.5 158.2 -3.9%
EBITDA 36.5 25.3 -30.6%
Depreciation & Amortization 33.8 35.3 4.3%
Reported EBIT 2.7 -10.0
Margin (%) 1.3% -5.4%
Adjusted EBIT 2.7 -10.0
Margin (%) 1.3% -5.4%
Average # FTEs and interims 1,634 1,623 -0.7%

Key takeaways 1H20

  • External revenues are down by € -15.7m driven by lower building sales: the gain on headquarter sale of € 19.9m in 2Q19 was partly offset by higher building sales in 1Q20.
  • Operating expenses (incl. D&A) decreased by € +4.8m driven by lower demand for services from the operational Business Units (€ -1.9m intersegment operating income), especially due to lower demand for IT-related projects. Net of the intersegment operating income, the opex (incl. D&A) was down due to lower project costs at corporate level (cost containment) more than offsetting negative YoY VAT recovery impact (€ -1.7m) and additional COVID-19 related costs.
  • COVID-19 impacted EBIT by an estimated € -2.3m, mainly related to additional costs for health and safety measures.
  • As a result, adjusted EBIT decreased by € -12.7m.

Positive evolution of FCF1 mainly driven by payment terms in payables and lower tax related cash flows

Reported ‐ € million

1H19 1H20 Delta
+ Cash flow from operating activities 174.9 341.9 167.1
+ Cash flow from investing activities 15.7 -34.5 -50.2
= Free cash flow 190.6 307.4 116.8
+ Financing activities -104.9 -51.0 53.9
= Net cash movement 85.7 256.4 170.7
Capex (41.5) (45.4) (3.9)

CF from operating activities

Higher collected proceeds due to Radial's clients: € +40.5m, high level of merchandise sale in COVID-19 period

Absence of tax prepayment in 1H20 (vs. € -51.0m in 1H19)

Tax assessments on previous years: € +21.3m YoY variance (€ +7.5m positive settlement in 1Q20 vs. € -13.8m in 1Q19)

Excluding the above, CF from operating activities: € +54.3m, of which:

  • ‐ € +65.4m improvement in working capital evolution: primarily positive impact of extended payment terms in payables, partly offset by negative impact of clients balance evolution
  • ‐ Partly offset by lower operating results

CF from investing activities

Proceeds from buildings sales: € -46.1m

Capex: € -3.9m (€ 45.4m 2Q20 vs € 41.5m LY). Main investments in 1H20 include increased capacity at Radial, Parcels B2C and Active Ants, and ICT projects

CF from financing activities

Absence of dividend payment in 1H20: € +50.0m

1Free cash flow = cash flow from operating activities + cash flow from investing activities

Key contacts

Saskia Dheedene Head of Investor Relations

Email: [email protected] Direct: +32 (0) 2 276 76 43 Mobile: +32 (0) 477 92 23 43 Address: bpost Group, Centre Monnaie, 1000 Brussels, Belgium

Stéphanie Voisin Manager Investor Relations

Email: [email protected] Direct: +32 (0) 2 276 21 97 Mobile: +32 (0) 478 48 58 71 Address: bpost Group, Centre Monnaie, 1000 Brussels, Belgium

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